Sargassum seaweed being seen in Florida. Here's where it's going and when it will be worst

Cheryl McCloud, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·3 min read
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Sargassum seaweed is nothing to sneeze at, and judging by interest in people googling the topic, it's a topic people around the world are taking seriously — at least when it comes to finding out where it'll be and when.

The University of South Florida's Optical Oceanography Laboratory's College of Marine Science maintains a satellite-based Sargassum Watch System.

It's April 2023 report does not bode well for beaches in the path of a massive bloom.

Sargassum and sea turtles: Sea turtle nesting season is here! But there could be a problem lurking on Florida's shores.

What to know about sargassum: Sargassum aside, this seaweed is nothing to scoff at. Here's what we know about it.

Here are the highlights from the April report, along with other information about the seaweed.

How much sargassum seaweed is in the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt?

Clouds led to a decrease of observable seaweed in the region, but maps show at least the same volume of sargassum in April as was seen in March.

How much sargassum seaweed is in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico?

The volume of seaweed in the central west Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico continues to increase.

Where is the seaweed going?

Sargassum seaweed reported in April 2023.
Sargassum seaweed reported in April 2023.

Prevailing currents and winds are sending the seaweed west.

The total amount of seaweed is expected to increase over the next few months, with impacts worsening in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.

Seaweed off Florida: Giant mats of seaweed lurk off Florida's coast and have beached in spurts but will peak soon

How does what is out there now compare to other years?

Sargassum seaweed in the Gulf of Mexico is comparable to that seen in previous major bloom years.

Has any seaweed reached Florida beaches?

Sargassum seaweed has been reported on Caribbean beaches, as well as in Southeast Florida.

When will be the worst months for sargassum on Florida beaches?

Sargassum seaweed reported in April 2023.
Sargassum seaweed reported in April 2023.

USF reports it remains difficult to predict exact timing and location for individual beaching events but substantial amounts of the seaweed are expected in May in both the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.

June is forecast to be the likely peak of the 2023 season, but impacts are expected to continue into July.

See conditions at Florida beaches using these webcams

Planning to spend some time at the beach but want to check out the latest conditions? Here are several webcams around the state.

Beach webcams: Florida beach live webcams show surf, waves, sargassum seaweed conditions

How big is the Sargassum Belt?

The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt extends from west Africa to the Gulf of Mexico and is setting a record — 13 million tons — for this time of year.

Is there really a record amount of seaweed out there?

Signs are that this year’s sargassum bloom will likely be the largest ever recorded, with major impacts throughout the next few months.

Are experts sure sargassum seaweed will affect Florida?

Sargassum seaweed around the Caribbean, along the ocean side of Florida Keys and east coast of Florida are inevitable.

Is the sargassum seaweed a 5,000-mile 'blob'?

Actually, the sargassum seaweed are clumps and mats scattered randomly within the 5,000-mile Sargassum belt.

Just how long is 5,000 miles?

In comparison, here's the distance between a few Florida cities and other areas:

  • Miami to Fairbanks, Alaska: 4,846 miles

  • Miami to Honolulu: 4,854 miles

  • Jacksonville to Vatican City, Italy: 5,045 miles

  • Naples to North Pole: 4,412 miles

  • Pensacola to Melbourne, Australia: 9,441 miles

Read the full USF April sargassum report

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Florida sargassum seaweed: Where's it going, when will it arrive?